5 Things Every Roughrider Fan Should Know

Does the weather in Saskatchewan have you down?  I hear you.  I don't ever remember it being -43C ever before.  As I'm bundled in my warmest clothes and not wanting to crawl out from under the warm blankets in the morning I think back to the warm summer night games at Mosaic Stadium and also look forward to what the team will look like in 2019.  With CFL 2.0 put into action by Randy Ambrosie there might be an influx of new CFL fans wanting to know who they should pledge their allegiance to and if the Riders are their choice (and they should be) then this post includes everything that a first time Saskatchewan Roughrider fan should know.

5.  It's ROUGHRIDERS not Rough Riders.  One word.  Change your spell check and correct Siri.  At one time in the CFL, as odd as it was, there were two teams with the same name and the only difference besides location was the difference of one word or two.  The Ottawa Rough Riders were founded in 1876 and was one of the oldest teams in the league...that was until 1996 when the franchise fell on hard times.  Then along came the Ottawa Renegades but they ceased to exist in 2006.  Then in 2014 the Redblacks entered the CFL for the 3rd kick at the can.  Meanwhile, the only change for the Roughriders was a name change from being known as the Regina Roughriders to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and why not?  Rider Pride is province wide.  The community owned team, founded in 1910 has had hard times but due to fan support, a couple telethons and outside donations the organization made it through to become one of the most prosperous teams in the CFL.  We say Rider Pride is World Wide but that's only because of the plethora of any and all merchandise found everywhere on the globe.

4.  Who was Piffles Taylor?  Neil Joseph "Piffles" Taylor was a World War I pilot and also a football player.  He lost an eye when his plane was shot down and spent a year as a German prisoner of war.  Even though he was missing an eye he was able to quarterback the team to the Hugo Ross Trophy.  He was a player, a head coach and became a football executive in the west.  The then home of the Roughriders Park de Young/Park de Hughes was renamed in his honour Taylor Field.  It remained Taylor Field as a stadium was built which was much later named Mosaic Stadium and the street it was located on named Piffles Taylor Way in Regina, Saskatchewan.  When the new Mosaic Stadium was erected a block away, the old stadium was auctioned off, dismantled and toppled over.  There isn't any new development on the site yet and I bet it now looks much the same as it might have when Piffles himself played there.

3.  The duo of Ron Lancaster and George Reed is legendary.  Ron Lancaster was the starting quarterback for 16 seasons and led the Saskatchewan Roughriders to their first Grey Cup victory over the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1966.  Because of his small stature he was nicknamed the "Little General" but nothing about him was little.  He led the team to 14 consecutive play off games and played in the Grey Cup 5 times.  He won 170 games with his only losing season his final with the Roughriders.  By his side, was running back George Reed.  He is known as the best running back in CFL history.  Mr. Reed played his entire 13 year career with the Roughriders.  Both of these outstanding men have their jersey's 23 and 34 retired and their statues can be seen outside new Mosaic Stadium.  While Ron Lancaster passed in 2008, George Reed still lives in Regina and visits Roughriders practices and has the best seat in the house for home games.

Screen grab after a re-creation of the 1989 kick during a game in the Farewell Season

2.  One of the Saskatchewan Roughriders biggest rivalries is with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  The Winnipeg Football Club hasn't won the Grey Cup since 1990 and it's fun to remind them about that.  They also like to remind us Rider fans that we've only won 4 times and while this is true they are 4 of the most epic wins in history...or at least I'd like to think so.  The first win as mentioned above was in 1966.  It was a game in which everyone thought Ottawa was going to win, so much so according to George Reed that all the championship regalia had to be moved from the Ottawa locker room into the Riders locker room.  The next Grey Cup championship didn't come until 1989 which many CFL fans tout as the best championship game of all time.  Everyone had counted out the Roughrider team.  We were the under dogs who won on the leg of a Robokicker aka Dave Ridgway.  The next game came in 2007 against those aforementioned Blue Bombers.  For all accounts, the Bombers should have won too if it weren't for their starting quarterback Kevin Glenn breaking his arm the week before.  The next Grey Cup win came in 2013 at home in front of Rider Nation at Taylor Field in a rematch of 1989 against the Henry Burris led Hamilton Tiger Cats.  They didn't stand a chance.  There was a lot on the line for Saskatchewan - redemption for the 13th man fiasco in 2009, the monkey on Darian Durant's back and just the pure pressure of getting the win at home.  You can kid us all you want about these 4 championships but it's the down time, the heart break and frigid temperatures that make Roughrider fans all the more passionate in Saskatchewan.  The Roughriders are bidding on the 2020 Grey Cup.  Can we do it again at our new home?

1.  Roughriders helmets are green and watermelons are green so why not wear a watermelon on my head?  If you have any doubts and have gotten to this point on the list and thought wha?  It's true.  Roughrider fans are known for wearing fruit on their noggin's.  I've not personally carved out a helmet, but word has it that you have to do it far in advance so that the rind dries out enough for you to wear it.  Otherwise you'll end up with a drippy sloppy mess on your head and I'm not sure that's the conditioning treatment your beauty regime really needs.  It's likely because of this that newer fans are opting out of this head gear.  You can bet that on special game days that anything and everything goes at a Rider game.  Star Wars fan?  Check out the crew at Piffles Podcast in their game day attire.  Are you more of a Saskatchewan Pirate?  We've got fans who dress as those too.  Everyone looks better in green and the more green the better.  A trip to the nearest Rider Store will have you decked out head to toe in everything from jerseys, pants, nail polish, and your green hearts deepest desire.  Don't forget, it's not just for game day either because Roughrider fans wear it everywhere.  It's worn at weddings, funerals, on vacation and at other sporting events.  There's one in every crowd and there's no other group of people I'd rather identify with.  Rider Nation are my people.  Why not make them yours too?

Harps & Angels

Saturday June 10th was the first ever CFL Preseason game held at new Mosaic Stadium.  Hubby and I left Saskatoon and arrived in Regina at 5:30.  We stuck to our normal game day routine of eating at either A&W or Wendy's...choosing Wendy's this time...and heading to Northgate Mall to catch the Football Express to the game an hour before game time.


We anticipated more people taking the bus shuttles for two reasons: they are now free and there are next to no public parking spots at the new stadium.  As new season ticket holders we received an email informing us that limited parking spots were available for the season for $300 and were first come first serve.  They sold out quickly, but we decided for the traffic hassle and money we were better off to stick with the Football Express.


We arrived at Northgate Mall at 6pm to a very busy parking lot.  I pitty the people who were just trying to go to Lowe's to pick up a few things because the parking was full of Rider fans.  We had to park near the bank, walk through a maze of cars and people and waited in line down the first isle of vehicles.  We didn't have to wait in line for long as the buses were coming frequently.  I thought back to 2013 and how we stood in line at Southland Mall to get to the Paul McCartney concert.  This was a far better experience bus wise, yet the excitement and butterflies were still certainly there.  I call those "yay it's football season" feelings.


The bus stopped right at the main entrance of Mosaic Stadium and directly in front of the fancy new Rider Store and Office.  Our gate was Number 2 which was directly to the right.  Going through security was quick and easy.  We walked on to the concourse to see the field open up before our eyes.  We stood against the railing...


...and I swear I heard the plucking of harps and angels singing.


I have never seen anything so amazing before in my life.  Okay, well I've seen Niagara Falls and that's pretty impressive too but this football stadium...Mosaic Stadium...it sparkled and twinkled in anticipation.  It's been there waiting for us to give it personality and here we were to open it up for the first time.  My eyes may have leaked a little.  I thought about last year how the confetti canon went off at Taylor Field plunging everything into darkness and how over yonder Mosaic Stadium was all lit up in it's glory.  I also noted that in the Fan Code of Conduct confetti canons are now banned.

We strolled around the concourse noting the locations of restrooms and concessions.  Hubby went to the upper level and much to his delight found the seats of Roughrider legendary running back George Reed and his wife.  I'm sure he probably got first pick of best seat in the house, however I expect every seat in this house is a good one.  Gone are the days of lugging in seat cushions for the metal planks or wooden bleachers.  Gone are the giant concrete steps of the East Side.  Instead, there are spacious seats complete with cup holders and enough room for spectators to come and go without spilling their wares on you.

We found our way to our seats in end zone section 126 easily although we had two separate couples try to convince us we were in their seats when they were meant for section 127.  I just sat in full awe watching players warm up and stretch but looking around at the wide open space. "It's really real." I kept telling myself.

It's real and it's spectacular.


Just to the right is the Riders tunnel.  I had no idea when I chose our season ticket seats.  We could see them standing and waiting. It wasn't the full on Bring 'Em Out but it was still pretty amazing to see it up close.  I loved how Willie Jefferson came "flying" out with his arms outstretched.  "This is all for us" I thought, "We built this."

It was very disappointing that fans decided to leave early.  The couple beside us said "We've seen how this ends before." as they passed by.  We stayed.  The game ended in a 25-25 tie against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after rookie QB Marquise Williams got us the yards needed for Quinn Van Gylswyk to kick the field goal for the tie.  I laughed as the kids behind us shouted "Go Home!"  We start them young around here.  Since there is no over time in preseason the game was over.  Riders still undefeated at Mosaic Stadium!


It was quick to exit the stadium and we chose to go through Gate 3 to our bus.  We did have to wait in line for a time but it wasn't bad.  We chatted with a few others during that time.  Some people came from Winnipeg for the preseason game.  One fellow was wearing a Bomber jersey and a Rider hat.


The Football Express rolled slowly passed old Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium.  I had a quiet feeling of sadness as it stood completely empty and deserted.  It too had been a place of sparkle and glory only 4 years ago in the 2013 Grey Cup.  It felt like we should be quiet and give it a moment of silence out of respect but that didn't happen. 


The Beast on Piffles will always hold great memories but we have a new home and new memories will be made.  It's where we can cheer, laugh at Gainer, do the wave and enjoy the game of CFL football together as one big family.  Canada Day is the official home opener when Canada's Team...our Saskatchewan Roughriders...will take to the field and christen Mosaic Stadium properly.  I'll be there to celebrate Canada's 150th.  It's going to be a party.  I hope to see you there. 

Looking Back ~ Looking Forward

~ sigh ~

There's no better therapy for escaping the stresses of renovation than a trip to a football game. No electrical issues to worry about. No waiting for paint to dry so walls can be painted again. No crazy contractor to deal with. Yup, there is not a thing I'd rather do than hop in the Sandra-mobile and head to a game at Old Mosaic Stadium on Taylor Field. This is exactly what the Hubster and I did last Saturday in wild anticipation of an old fashioned Lion taming.

Waaaaaalllllyyyyyyy

Okay, so maybe no Lions were tamed as the final score was (gulp) 40 – 27 in their favour. Without going over the minute details of the game because they've all been hashed to death by now, including how Brooks maimed our franchise Quarterback. THANK GOODNESS, it wasn't a serious injury. Darian Durant is a total beast and competitor which is apparent since he not only remained on the field to throw a touchdown pass after the injury but also has been in practice since as well. There is only one other Roughrider legend who has been known to be as Saskie tough.

George Reed.

I had the pleasure of meeting George Reed when the CFL was celebrating it's 100^th anniversary by having a train visit several cities and Saskatoon happened to be one of the stops. I waited in line for what seemed like forever but it was completely worth it by the time I made it to the autograph table. He was immensely gracious and I was in complete awe.

I was equally in awe on Saturday in my section 43 seat on the West side when the 1966 Grey Cup winning Roughriders entered the stadium right beside us and marched the Grey Cup by. WOW. What a different time. Everyone stood and applauded in our section. I've never seen anything more beautiful than the Grey Cup with July sunshine glinting off of it.

1966 Grey Cup winning Roughriders

At halftime, highlights of the 1966 Grey Cup were broadcast on the Sasktel Maxtron. Then each player was introduced. Some are not with us anymore and some simply were not able to make the trip. I watched as two RCMP marched out and a stunning red mustang convertible drove to midfield containing the cup and I have to admit my eyes started to well up as we also learned the car contained Lana Mueller, daughter of Ron Lancaster, sporting a #23 jersey.

There we were celebrating the 50^th anniversary of this epic victory over the Ottawa Rough Riders while saying goodbye to the place that's been home for not only the Saskatchewan Roughriders but home to us fans as well. The lady behind me talked about how badly she wanted to take her seat number home with her. Funny, I thought as a man who was sitting a few seats down had gashed his leg on the seat back metal. I've done it and I bet you have too!

Taylor Field.....the site of so much happiness, tradition and heart bursting memories.

New Mosaic taken from the West Gate ramps of Old Mosaic

This Friday when our Riders take on the Rough Riders...er, Renegades...er, Redblacks (what is a redblack anyway?) there will be a celebration of the 1970's. The 70's were not kind to us GreenWhite fans although I was barely around to know or remember. I would have been 3 years old in 1976 when Saskatchewan met Ottawa in the Grey Cup but trust me I know about Tony Gabriel and “the catch”. 
 

Songs like Don't Go Breaking My Heart and Play That Funky Music were top of the music charts. People were watching Rocky, Carrie and The Bad News Bears. The Timbit was introduced in 1976 and our Prime Minister was Trudeau.

It's fun to look back isn't it?

Traditionally the Roughriders have not been a highly successful team. The team which was established in 1910 has only won 4 Grey Cups. Fans have endured extreme heart aching defeat and incredible emotional highs. Isn't that what being a fan is about? The roller coaster? The face palms and the eye rolls? The jumping and high fives? It's about supporting your team whether the record is 3-15, 9-9 or 0-3. Sure, it's more fun to drive the two hour drive home from Regina after a win but haven't we been lucky to have this team all these years! Because of us...the fans, players have made Regina and this province home, some staying here like George Reed, while others like Don Narcisse have returned. Isn't that wonderful!?!

There's no other fan base I'd want to be a part of...Rider Nation you crazy wonderful community you! I love ya!

Thursday aka Game Day Eve, the Grey Cup will be at the Co-Op which I frequent on 33^rd St West in Toon Town. Hamburgers will be sold with proceeds going to the Scouts. I plan on seeing Earl Grey's contribution close up. 

~ sigh ~

Hello Goodbye

The end of May signals two events for me in my life. It's the SAM music festival which for many of my students is the culmination...Grey Cup if you will...of their piano music year. My reward for successfully navigating the four day event is that Roughrider Training Camp starts at the end of it. Finally, the off season is over, the new regime has rebuilt our team and Rider fans can finally move on from 2015. Just as I tell my piano students, if you can make your audience feel something, whether good or bad, during your performance you will be more memorable. They may not recall the notes but they will recall the emotions you evoked. The same can be said for Roughrider fans. We've ridden the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. We've run the gamut of emotion and that etches deep memories in the fabric of Rider Nation.

I was asked yesterday about my memories at Mosaic Stadium. 2016 is the final year at Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium before the Saskatchewan Roughriders move into their new digs at “new” Mosaic Stadium. Being as big of a fan as I am, it haunts me that I wasn't at the 2013 Grey Cup. Why? WHY? Wasn't I there? I try to tell myself that it was too cold the week before and we didn't know what the weather was going to do. Then there was the question of accommodations and oh yeah, Hubby and I didn't have tickets.

* Sigh *

What I know for sure is that on that single night in November 2013 The House on Piffles shined and glittered like no other stadium in the league. The aerial shots on TSN were breathtaking. Winning the 101^st Grey Cup on our own turf was magical. From the Bring 'em Out ditching of the player introductions to the final snap, Darian Durant led our team to glory under the lights before those colourful seats and 44,710 weeping fans.

If 2013 was the year all our dreams came true then 2009 was the ultimate nightmare. It's true to some extent that the 2013 Grey Cup win was redemption for losing in the unspeakable fashion that my Riders did in 2009 however, nothing can erase the bitter taste and sickened stomach as I recall kneeling on the living room floor praying for that kick to go wide...again. The next day was cloudy and insanely quiet. I stopped at a nearby Tim Hortons on the way to the music academy where I rolled my eyes at a poor fellow sporting an Allouettes jersey who obviously had lost a wager. I silently swore I'd never teach that song again. When I arrived to my classroom my Roughriders poster had been pulled off my door and tossed on the floor. Emotions were the lowest of lows but in true Rider Pride fashion it didn't stop fans from welcoming the team home to Mosaic Stadium. Darian Durant returning home cupless, broken hearted and devastated yet swearing to be Grey Cup contenders again was inspiring misery.

When you go to a football game at Taylor Field/Mosaic Stadium it is a total experience. Tailgating is a real thing where there are barbeques in the backs of pick up trucks, fans wandering in 'get ups' from watermelon helmets to green Spiderman outfits. It's a meeting place for fans who have connected on social media. It's a type of congregation. The house on Piffles of Roughrider worship under the retired numbers of the players who we continue to honour. If you haven't been to a game you absolutely must. No questions. It's heart pounding, messy, and exhilarating fireworks as Gainer rides around the field after a touchdown to the ear splitting chants of On Roughriders.

Seriously, go before you can't.

I am too young to know what Taylor Field was like when Ronnie and George made their mark. I was a stupid Grade 12 student and didn't appreciate Kent Austin enough in 1989. I wasn't there when Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones or AC/DC played Mosaic. I made absolutely sure that I was there to see Sir Paul McCartney. Imagine! One of the Beatles coming to Saskie to play a concert! Mind blowing! I've never attended a concert that made my jaw drop open in disbelief and left me feeling so incredibly loved and positive. I'll never forget Mosaic Stadium lit with thousands of tiny lights for Hey Jude or the eye popping fireworks of Live and Let Die.

I remember a time in the province of Saskatchewan when concert events didn't come here. People fled green pastures for Alberta oil fields. Lot's of musicians, if they came to Canada on tour only went to Toronto or Vancouver. It seems like another world now because we are attractive to CFL players who not only want to play here but live here. The province attracts business and promotes a sense of community. The Roughriders and Saskatchewan go hand in hand. Football is something that binds together neighbours and citizens right down to Premier Brad Wall. “How are the Riders doing?” It's something we can all discuss while waiting in line at Timmies or around the water cooler. It's also why we are picked out in crowds world wide. We are green, proud, this is where we come from and this is what Rider Nation represents and that's why it's so fitting that SASKATCHEWAN is embroidered in the very fabric of every new Adidas jersey.

It's What We're Made Of.

So how did I answer that question about memories at Mosaic Stadium? The season opener of 2015 was against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Darian Durant was back after his shoulder injury on labour day the previous year. Excitement was at an all time high. Everyone was hopeful. This was supposed to be a great group of players. We wanted them to get on track and get to that Grey Cup again. It was awesome to feel the elevation and leadership when Doubles took the field. It sounded right to hear the “black any choice” of his voice over the hush of the crowd. Then the unthinkable happened and Darian Durant went down with what we now know as an Achilles injury. “Something's wrong.” I said to Hubby. “Oh no oh no oh no. He's hurt.” And with that the stadium fell to pin dropping quiet.

I wish I had remembered anything else. This isn't exactly a happy memory. I could have recalled the preseason game against the newly expanded Ottawa REDBLACKS when it was their home game so the Riders were on the visitors bench. I could have remembered Labour Day 2015 and the massive card trick that changed from BRING 'EM OUT to the Canadian Flag. No, I mentioned our doomed seasons with Darian Durant's injury instead. It's because of the roller coaster emotion and that's what I remembered most.

We might not remember how Park de Young and Park Hughes came together to form Taylor Field. The memories of Ken Miller in red curling pants fades over time as will the pain of the 13^th man. As we know the opening refrains and dynamic endings of anthems past, the middle parts become blurry, but those middle parts are where the life of Rider Nation happens...where bridges and next verses are composed. We find ourselves in a sweet evolution chorus of saying goodbye to Old Mosaic while waving hello to the New...

...And I can't wait for more memories to be made.

167 Days

167.

One.  Six.  Seven.

One hundred and sixty-seven.....days until the regular season of the CFL begins again.

Off season blues.  How do you beat them?  Here is a list of things to try to to pass the time away.

Is it July yet?

1.  Rewatch the 101st Grey Cup.  I've done this twice since the big day when my Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Hamilton Tiger Cats Lancaster-McCoullaugh.....that's 23-45.  How epic was that day?  Winning on home turf in the legendary Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field in front of nearly 45,000 rabid Rider fans.  It's the story fairy tales are created from.

2.  Become infatuated with the Roughrider Grey Cup tour and follow it around Saskatchewan on it's many stops.  If you are lucky you may actually get to meet some players and poise with the Grey Cup itself.  That is if you are willing to stand in line for what may be hours at an event you'd really rather not go to.  But it's the price we pay for being the best fans in the CFL.

3.  Read a really thick book.  I've started a 1000+ page book in hopes that by the time I'm finished I will have wasted at least 2 weeks.  If this isn't possible a more appropriate read might be the George Reed book or something wittily written by the Leader Posts Rob Vanstone.

4.  When the talk on Sportscage turns to hockey and curling.....pull up all the football movies on Netflix.  Watch We Are Marshall or The Longest Yard or dig up a really obscure movie.

5.  Make an attempt to watch NFL football.  I've tried.  I really  have.  The 12th Man disturbs me.  The extra down confuses me.  Never mind the terminology!  False start, Safe Catch....what the heck?!

6.  Investigate Twitter for the latest greatest news on all the football transactions.  Wait!  What?  Keith Shologan is a REDBLACK?  UGH!  No not Zack Evans too!  *stomps away*

7.  Do laundry.  Now I have to be really desperate to engage in housework or laundry!  Wash all your Roughrider gear.  The jerseys, the tee shirts, the tank tops....get is all ready for Canada Day kick off.

8.  Organize all your picture files on your computer.  Make one folder titled Roughriders and put the majority of your pictures there.  Reminisce about training camp and visits to practices.  Share your pictures on Twitter while you are at it!

9.  Take #selfies in all your newly washed Roughrider outfits.  Coin a new term for doing so.  Roughsie?  Ridesie?  Sasksie?  I'll leave that one up to yousie.

10.  Write a blog.  Because OHMYGAWD WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR 167 MORE DAYS!!!!

Bring 'Em Out

Holy Sheets, guys!  We are headed to the 101st Grey Cup!  The Roughriders in the house that Ronny and George built.  It chokes me up.  This is what we've dreamed about all our lives as Rider fans.  Making it to the big game in our very home and winning it on Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium.

Can this get any better?

What a euphoric week.

How did we get here?  A year ago, I believe Coach Corey Chamblin, GM Brendan Tamon and President Jim Hobson planned for this.  How do you win the Grey Cup?  First you need to build a championship team and bring in players like Geroy Simon, John Chick, Ricky Foley, Dwight Anderson and so many more. Then you employ the genius offensive mastermind of George Cortez.  You hold training camp away from home, in Saskatoon aka Riderville North, where players could bond together like brothers.

Did George Cortez hold back plays?  You bet your pants he did.  I knew it all along too.  You can't show everything you've got because then all the teams know you.  You keep those plays for play offs.  That's when you pull them out of your pack pocket and make defenses jaws drop open in surprise.  You bet that's what happened when we took over and totally dominated the line of scrimmage against the Stampeders in the Western Final.  They had no idea we were coming.

Supposedly the league is criticising our players for not touching the Western Division trophy.  As elite quarterback Darian Durant said on the sidelines, "I don't want that one."  Nope we don't either!  Ridernation wants the cup!  We want the cup!

We want the cup in the name of Sir Earl Grey.  Even if he thought he was donating a hockey trophy.  The story I recall is that he heard about Sir Stanley donating a cup and he wanted to do the same thing.  Well, Sir Grey, I am so glad this happened. What a beautiful cup she is.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hosting the 101st Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium.  Our home.  The visiting team?  The Hamilton Tiger Cats.  They finished second in the east and beat the defending 2012 Grey Cup champions the Toronto Argonauts to get to the cup.  The Hamilton head coach is ex-Rider and coach Kent Austin.  Kent Austin quarterbacked the Roughriders in the 1989 Grey Cup win and he coached the Riders to the 2007 Grey Cup win.  His banner hangs on our stadium.  The Hamilton quarterback is Henry Burris, also an ex-Rider, who left us when he was going to be demoted as quarterback.  There are several other ex-Riders on the TiCat team: Andy Fantuz; Luca Congi.

But hold the Grey Cup train!  Our offensive coach, quarterback whisperer, George Cortez is the Hamilton ex-head coach.  Our linebacker, although now injured, Rey Williams was dismissed in the off season.  He has a huge chip on his shoulder.  Our head coach, Corey Chamblin was a defensive coach not all that long ago with the TiCats.

This will be the last big hurrah for Taylor Field.  We are building a new stadium for 2015.  Mosaic is a wonderful old girl.  I hope she gets to party like she's never before.

There are all kinds of storylines here.

This week is going to go fast and yet drag along at the same time.  Game time is 5pm Sunday.  I plan on savoring each moment.  I plan on wearing green all week.  It's going to be crazy.  And I am ready!

BRING 'EM OUT!  BRING 'EM OUT!  WE WANT THE CUP!!  WE WANT THE CUP!!!!

Go get it boys.

Grey Cup 2012

I tend to not make game predictions.  When I feel positive about something it tends to be jinxed.  What I know for sure is that I like Ricky Ray and the Argonauts more than the Stampeders.  How can I side with a team that let's players moon football spectators and let's them tweet crazy stuff without so much as a slap on the wrist?

This is the 100th Grey Cup.  I did a little research yesterday and the very first Grey Cup was won by a Toronto team.  The Varsity Blues they were called.  The trouble is that the two teams in that first Grey Cup were both Toronto teams.  I also think it's a little funny that the Grey Cup was donated by someone who thought it was going to be a hockey trophy.  The ultimate DOH!  I'm sure Lord Grey would be very pleased to know that his trophy is now one of the most coveted awards in Canada.

I'm very happy to celebrate the 100th Grey Cup even though my Riders aren't playing in it.  Because of all the hullabaloo over this 100th anniversary I was able to go out to see the Grey Cup Train when it rolled into the Bridge City.  I still can't really believe I did that all by myself.  It was my experience.  I finally met George Reed, Kory Sheets showed me how to use my iPod to take pictures and I bonded with other rabid football fans while waiting 2 hours to see the train.  Yes, I even caught a glimpse of the RCMP carrying the Grey Cup.  That is always a powerful sight.

The Queen has sent her respects for the 100th Grey Cup game.  I secretly believe she's a Rider fan.  How could she not?  They are Canada's team.

There will be winners and losers in Sunday's game.  Getting to the big game is a huge accomplishment and I hope whoever comes in 2nd place cherishes the ability to just be there.  There will be heart break.  I know that.  As a long suffering Rider fan.....man, do I know that!  It will be fun to watch a game where I don't really have to care all that much!

Next year, 2013, the 101st Grey Cup will be held at Mosiac Stadium the home of my Saskatchewan Roughriders.  That will be our time.  One time to shine.

All Aboard!

When my iPod alarm went off Monday morning I briefly considered staying in bed.  But when I laid back down and thought about it I just knew I'd regret it I didn't go to see the 100th Grey Cup Train.  So after lounging in bed with a good cup of coffee I got my green on and left the house.

I rationalized that it was a Monday.  It was a school day.  Surely, most people would be at work.

Wrong.

I found a great parking spot and arrived at 10 am on the dot.  I also found I was about 200th in line.  There were two line ups.  One for regular people like me and another for school kids who were arriving by the bus load.  Yes.....I said bus load.

I think I stood in line nearly two hours.  I did think a couple of times that I must be crazy.  I chatted casually with a young family ahead of me.  They brought their two small children who were so great and so well behaved.  Behind me stood an older couple.  A man went through the line traded a loonie for a Grey Cup loonie.  I traded for two.....One for myself and one for my Dad.

A very grainy picture of the Grey Cup with 2 RCMP standing just inside the train.

When the line had advanced about half way there were some announcements.  The Grey Cup was brought to the door of the train and some dignataries made some speeches.  Mayor Don Atchisson said Saskatoon broke the record for greatest turn out.  He was presented with a football.  Then the Grey Cup was taken away by two RCMP dressed in their full red regalia.  

The Autograph Table

There was a tent selling Roughrider and Grey Cup merchandise.  I had lamented that I didn't have anything for anyone to sign.  I bought a red [and it breaks my heart to buy  a red football] 100th Grey Cup mini football.

Shortly passed the tent was a table with ex and current Riders signing anything fans were throwing at them.  I had them sign my football.  There was Al Ford, Wayne Shaw, Scott McHenry, Graig Newman, Kory Sheets & the legendary George Reed.  Ben Heenan had also been there but he was nowhere to be found by the time I reached the autograph table.

The very cool thing was I had asked Kory Sheets to take a picture.  My iPod is less than a week old and I hadn't quite figured out all the operations.  He took it from me because he has "longer arms" he said.  Then he showed me that the buttons on the side also snap the pictures too!  It was very cool.  He was so genuine and nice and of course I think he's even more awesome than I thought before.  Holy Sheets!

Myself and Kory Sheets

 After the autograph table the line was moving faster.  I let another lady stand beside me in line and we got to talking too.  She seemed nice and hadn't been out to other football events.  I liked her character.

1989 Rider GC Ring

 The first car of the train had memorabilia from very early days. One car had the walls lined with stories of memorable Grey Cup games and other inspirational stories.  Another car had all the Grey Cup rings which are HUMONGOUS!!  The coolest car was the one made to look like a player locker room.  Some of the lockers had been signed by players where the train had already passed through.

Once back outside the train there was a booth to try your kicking and a booth from Canada Post selling items to commemorate the 100th year.  A truck was supposed to hold the Grey Cup in which you could have your picture taken, but the cup had already been transported to its next location.

Having taken in as much as I could.....I made my way back to my car.

I arrived home extremely excited and so thankful that I took in the event.  I strongly urge you to go out and see the train when it arrives in your city.  It is well worth it.  My only regret is that the event lasted a short time.  I'd love to see something similar occur again and I would definitely take in the event again!  It was fantastic and memorable.